Junior Achievement of Greater Washington

Amy MarcenaroEVP and COOYears in role: 7Years at company: 15

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES: Over the course of her 15 years at Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, Amy Marcenaro’s role has continued to expand. Today, she is EVP and COO, a role that was created specifically for her. “During my tenure, one of the major strategic growth initiatives I have spearheaded is the JA Finance Park program, which begins with 14 in-classroom sessions during which thousands of eighth-graders each year learn the basics of budgeting, saving and spending, and the impacts of financial decisions,” she says.

FUN FACT:“Every day after school, my friends and I would walk into town and go to the library. I loved books. I was particularly fascinated by ancient things, [like] anything having to do with Egypt or dinosaurs.”

STRONG CULTURE: Though Junior Achievement has increased its number of employees significantly, Marcenaro has worked to make sure all new staffers, as well as existing ones, feel connected to the nonprofit’s larger goal. “This is a great team of people who really care about each other, truly enjoy providing support within and across teams, and they demonstrate that enthusiasm on a daily basis,” she says.

DAY-TO-DAY BALANCE: “As a COO, given the multiple and diverse realms you oversee, you can get caught in the weeds and lose sight of the longer term,” says Marcenaro. “Striking the right balance requires having the perennial discipline to stop, step back and think.”